Decade in a Box: 1880s Quiz | MLB by Season

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which team of the National League won the most pennants in the decade of the 1880s?

Answer: Chicago White Stockings

The other teams did not exist in the 1880s. The White Stockings were the infants of the eventual Chicago Cubs of the National League. They won all their five titles from 1880-1886 under the management of player-coach Cap Anson. In 1890, the franchise changed their name to the Chicago Colts, then Orphans in 1898. They became the Cubs in 1903.

2. Which pitcher set a decade-high in 1886 by striking out 513 batters in the season?

Answer: Matt Kilroy

The others listed never played in the 1880s. Kilroy was in his rookie season in 1886 with the Baltimore Orioles of the American Association when he struck out 513 batters. He started 68 games in the season which was not uncommon in that era, and completed 66 of those.

His season record was 29-34 which did not reflect his season success. In 10 seasons, Matt never struck out more than 220 again in his career, but his 513 was not surpassed through the 19th or even entire 20th century.

3. In 1884, this player hit 27 home runs in the season which smashed the previous season record of 14. Who was this slugger?

Answer: Ned Williamson

The others did not start their careers until after the turn of the century. Williamson hit 27 home runs in 1884, even though that was the year of the pitcher due to rule changes. He was with the Chicago White Stockings of the National League. Ned never hit 10 home runs in a season again. Williamson broke the record of Harry Stovey in 1883, who hit 14 with the Philadelphia Athletics of the American Association.

4. Which pitcher set a season win record by going 59-12 in 1884, a record that was still intact throughout the entire 20th century?

Answer: Charley Radbourn

The other pitching greats had not started their careers yet in the 1880s. Radbourn, with the Providence Grays of the National League won 59 games in the season while starting in 73 games. Although a high number of starts, this was normal for baseball in the 1880s. Radbourn was inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame in 1939.

5. Which player had the highest season batting average in the 1880s?

Answer: Tip O'Neill

Although all listed did exist in baseball, O'Neill of the St. Louis Browns with the American Association hit .435 in 1887. This helped the Browns to a first place finish and pennant in the season, 14 games of the Cincinnati Red Stockings. Charlie Comiskey managed the ballclub.

6. A player in 1883 came home drunk to an angry wife, then shot her after being tired of listening to her. Figuring she died, he attempted suicide by slashing his throat but survived. His wife survived also. Who was this player who still played in the 1884 season?

Answer: Terry Larkin

Larkin attempted suicide twice while in custody of the police in 1883, but for some undocumented reason, he still played with the Richmond Virginians of the American Association in 1884. He died in 1894, suspected of, but not a confirmed suicide.

7. This player born on March 22, 1882, and played for only five seasons in the Major Leagues but made them count. He appeared in the first World Series in 1903 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Although the Pirates lost the series, he was the first player to hit a World Series home run. Who was he?

Answer: Jimmy Sebring

The others weren't born for another 30 years. Sebring went 10-for-30 with eight singles, a triple, and the first home run that occurred in the first game of the series. Jimmy died at the age of 27 in 1909 of convulsions, in his last season of baseball.

8. Which of the following leagues were not playing baseball in the 1880s?

Answer: American League

The American League did not start until 1901 with the emergence of eight new teams. The American Association had eight 'regular' teams in the 1880s. The Union Association existed only in 1884. The National League began in 1876.

9. Four future Hall of Famers were born in 1887. They were Eddie Collins, Grover Alexander, Joe McCarthy, and Walter Johnson. Which of those never actually played the game?

Answer: Joe McCarthy

McCarthy was a manager in his entire baseball career from 1926-1950. From 1931-1946, Joe managed the Yankees to eight World Series, winning seven of them. He was inducted into the hall in 1957.

10. In the 1880s, there were four pitching Triple Crowns thrown in the decade. How many batting Triple Crowns were won?

Answer: 1

The pitching Triple Crowns were thrown by Guy Hecker and Charley Radbourn in 1884, Tim Keefe of the New York Giants in 1888, then John Clarkson of the Boston Beaneaters in 1889. In 1887, Tip O'Neill of the St. Louis Browns in the American Association was the only batter to do it.

Source: Author Nightmare

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Decade in a Box: 1880s Trivia Quiz

Don't let the decade bother you if you look at the answer options and take a moment. This is about the 1880s. I hope that you leave with new knowledge. :-)

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